Packaged detergent composition

ABSTRACT

A packaged detergent composition comprising a container that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueous environment, the container having at least one compartment, the detergent composition having at least one fluid phase and at least one solid substantially insoluble in the fluid phase and having a size sufficient to be retained by a 2.5 mm mesh wherein the movement of the at least one solid within the container is restricted, as well as its use in an automatic dishwashing or laundry washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaged detergent compositioncomprising a container that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueousenvironment, the container having at least one compartment, thedetergent composition having at least one liquid and at least one solidsubstantially insoluble in the liquid and having a size retained by a2.5 mm mesh. The invention is particularly useful in automaticdishwashing machines and laundry washing machines.

2. The Related Art

It is known to use packaged detergent compositions, disintegrating in anaqueous environment, for example, because of being made of water-solublematerial. Such containers can simply be added to water in order todissolve or disperse its contents thereinto.

It is also known to manufacture such containers having more than onecompartment to enable presence in the same container of compositionshaving some kind of mutual incompatibility.

It has equally been proposed to enclose more than one composition in thesame compartment of such package, which may then have one, or more thanone compartment. Examples of this can be found in Swiss patentapplication number 347 930, European patent application number EP 0 233027 A2 and European patent number EP 0 507 404 B1.

It has been found, however, that when solids, having a relatively bigsize (more than 2.5 mm), are packaged within a container of the abovetype comprising a liquid composition the solids may interact with thewalls of the packages developing a number of potential problems.

A first undesirable type of interaction is a chemical interaction andmay arise when the composition of the solid comprises substances withsome degree of incompatibility with the material of the [water-soluble]container. Examples of these situations may arise when a solidcomprising a cross-linking agent (i.e. borate) are contained in[water-soluble] a container made of polyol materials (i.e. polyvinylalcohol) or when a solid comprising a strong oxidant (i.e. chlorinebleach) are contained within a container made of a oxidation sensitivematerial. This type of interaction may cause from one side a loss ofintegrity of the package but also a substantial change of the physicalproperties of the container (most notably its speed of dissolution).

A second type of interaction is a physical interaction and may arisefrom the friction of the solid(s) with the walls of the container whenthe container is moved (i.e. during handling or transportation). Thisfriction can damage the material of the container (i.e. by enlarging thesize of already existing pores) and cause leakage of the liquidcontained in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a packageddetergent composition of the above described type avoiding at least thesecond of (physical interaction), preferably both (chemical and physicalinteraction) of the above-mentioned undesirable types of interactionbetween the solid contained in the container and the container walls.

This object is solved by restricting the movement of the at least onesolid within the container.

In a first alternative of the present invention it is proposed torestrict the solid's movement by having the at least one liquid havingan interface with either another liquid or a gas and selecting thedensity of the solid to float at said interface.

The simplest execution of this alternative is to package a liquid (bythe use of the word liquid we include gels) leaving a free space filledwith a gas, preferably air or any other gas, while selecting the densityof the solid to make it float at the liquid gas interface.

Another possible execution of this first alternative is to use twonon-miscible liquids of different densities while selecting the densityof the solid to lay within the range defined by the density of the twoliquid compositions thereby causing the solid to float at the interfaceof the two liquids.

In a second alternative under the present invention the compartment ofthe package comprising the solid has a relative size with respect to thesize of the solid contained therein such that the movement of the solidwithin the compartment is restricted. The package can have additionalcompartments of any desired size. Preferred relative sizes of thesolid(s) are such that the space within the container in which the solidis held is greater than 20% v/v, ideally greater than 50% v/v than thespace occupied by the solid.

Preferably there are no more than 5, preferably less than 3, individualsolid components in any single container. Preferably there is only onediscrete solid within a single container. Ideally the solid is aspheroid shape, ideally containing no sharp edges or corners thusreducing damage to the container.

In a third alternative under the present invention the solid is attachedat a fixed point on to one or more of the container's walls, preferablyat a point, which is sufficiently far from the seal area of thecontainer so that the solid will not contact the seal. It is possible toenvisage different executions under this embodiment. One such executioncomprises embedding the solid(s) at least partially within the materialof the container's walls. Another alternative is to glue the solid(s) tothe container's walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first mono-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows another mono-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the first multi-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a multi-compartment embodiment of the packaged detergentcomposition of the present invention where the solid is restricted inits movement by “encapsulating”.

FIG. 5 shows another multi-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention.

The present invention provides for a surprisingly simple solution to theabove mentioned problems by restricting the free movement of thesolid(s) within the container in a number of alternative ways. Byimposing the restriction of the solid's movement within the containerfriction between the solid and the container is eliminated or at leastsubstantially reduced and at the same time the degree of chemicalinteraction may also be reduced with some of the alternatives proposedto restrict the solid's movement.

In all executions under the present invention the packaging may beformed using different techniques known to the expert in the field offorming water-soluble packaging. As non-limiting examples of suchtechniques one can mention techniques making use of processes ofmoulding the water-soluble raw material of the packaging, especiallyinjection moulding or blow moulding, and also techniques making use of apreformed film of water-soluble material such as thermoforming, verticalform-fill-sealing or horizontal form-fill-sealing.

In the case of techniques making use of preformed film materials, thefilm may be a single film, or a laminated film as disclosed inGB-A-2,244,258. While a single film may have pinholes, the two or morelayers in a laminate are unlikely to have pinholes, which coincide.

The film itself may be produced by any process, for example by extrusionand blowing or by casting. The film may be unoriented, monoaxiallyoriented or biaxially oriented. If the layers in the film are oriented,they usually have the same orientation, although their planes oforientation may be different, if desired.

The layers in a laminate may be the same or different. Thus, they mayeach comprise the same polymer or a different polymer. Examples ofwater-soluble polymers which may be used in a single layer film or inone or more layers of a laminate or which may be used for injectionmoulding or blow moulding are poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), cellulosederivatives such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and gelatine.An example of a preferred PVOH is ethoxylated PVOH. The PVOH may bepartially or fully alcoholised or hydrolysed. For example it may be from40 to 100%, preferably from 70 to 92%, more preferably about 88% orabout 92%, alcoholised or hydrolysed. The degree of hydrolysis is knownto influence the temperature at which the PVOH starts to dissolve inwater. 88% hydrolysis corresponds to a film soluble in cold (i.e. roomtemperature) water, whereas 92% hydrolysis corresponds to a film solublein warm water.

The thickness of the film used to produce the container, which may be inthe form of a pocket, is preferably 40 to 300 μm, more preferably 80 to200 μm, especially 100 to 160 μm, more especially 100 to 150 μm and mostespecially 120 to 150 μm.

In one possible execution using film material the packaging may beformed by, for example, vacuum forming or thermoforming. For example, ina thermoforming process the film may be drawn down or blown down into amould. Thus, for example, the film is heated to the thermoformingtemperature using a thermoforming heater plate assembly, and then drawndown under vacuum or blown down under pressure into the mould.Plug-assisted thermoforming and pre-stretching the film, for example byblowing the film away from the mould before thermoforming, may, ifdesired, be used. One skilled in the art can choose an appropriatetemperature, pressure or vacuum and dwell time to achieve an appropriatepocket. The amount of vacuum or pressure and the thermoformingtemperature used depend on the thickness and porosity of the film and onthe polymer or mixture of polymers being used. Thermoforming of PVOHfilms is known and described in, for example, WO 00/55045.

A suitable forming temperature for PVOH or ethoxylated PVOH is, forexample, from 90 to 130° C., especially 90 to 120° C. A suitable formingpressure is, for example, 69 to 138 kPa (10 to 20 p.s.i.), especially 83to 117 kPa (12 to 17 p.s.i.). A suitable forming vacuum is 0 to 4 kPa (0to 40 mbar), especially 0 to 2 kPa (0 to 20 mbar). A suitable dwell timeis, for example, 0.4 to 2.5 seconds, especially 2 to 2.5 seconds.

While desirably conditions are chosen within the above ranges, it ispossible to use one or more of these parameters outside the aboveranges, although it may be necessary to compensate by changing thevalues of the other two parameters.

When the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartmentmay be formed by any of the above mentioned techniques.

The compartments are then filled with the desired compositions. Thecompartments may be completely filled or only partially filled. Thesolid may be, for example, a particulate or granulated solid, or atablet. The liquid may be non-aqueous or aqueous, for example comprisingless than or more than 5% total or free water. The composition may havemore than one phase. For example, it may comprise an aqueous liquid anda liquid which is immiscible with the aqueous liquid.

The container may contain more than one component; for instance it maycontain two components which are incompatible with each other. It mayalso contain a component, which is incompatible with the part of thecontainer enclosing the other component. For example, the secondcomposition may be incompatible with the part of the container enclosingthe first composition.

If it is desired that the container releases the components, it ispossible to ensure that the components are released at different times.Thus, for instance, one composition can be released immediately thecontainer is added to water, whereas the other may be released later.This may be achieved by having a compartment, which takes longer todissolve surrounding one of the compositions, which may be either thefirst or the second composition. This may be achieved, for example, byhaving different compartment wall thicknesses. Alternatively, the secondcomposition may simply be held on the outside of the sealing member, inwhich case it can start to dissolve as soon as the article is added towater. In the case of use of a multicompartment packaging differentrelease times may also be achieved by choosing compartments, whichdissolve at different temperatures, for example the differenttemperatures encountered during the cycle of a laundry or dish washingmachine.

Alternatively the packaging may be formed of, for example, a mouldedcomposition, especially one produced by injection moulding or blowmoulding. The walls of the compartment may, for example, have athickness of greater than 100 μm, for example greater than 150 μm orgreater than 200 μm, 300 μm, 500 μm, 750 μm or 1 mm. Preferably thewalls have a thickness of from 200 to 400 μm.

The composition may be a fabric care, surface care or dishwashingcomposition. Thus, for example, it may be a dishwashing, watersoftening, laundry or detergent composition, or a rinse aid. Suchcompositions may be suitable for use in a domestic washing machine. Thecomposition may also be a disinfectant, antibacterial or antisepticcomposition, or a refill composition for a trigger-type spray. Suchcompositions are generally packaged in amounts of from 5 to 100 g,especially from 15 to 40 g. For example, a dishwashing composition mayweigh from 15 to 30 g, a water-softening composition may weigh from 15to 40 g.

The composition, if in liquid form, may be anhydrous or comprise water,for example at least 5 wt %, preferably at least 10 wt %, water based onthe weight of the aqueous composition.

In case more than one composition is packaged, the compositions may bethe same or different. If they are different, they may, nevertheless,have one or more individual components in common.

In a possible execution a sealing member is placed on top of the firstcompartment previously filled and sealed thereto.

The sealing member may be produced by, for example, injection mouldingor blow moulding. It may also be in the form of a film.

The sealing member may optionally comprise a second composition at thetime it is placed on top of the first compartment. This may be held orotherwise adhered on the sealing member. For example it can be in theform of a solid composition such as a ball or pill held on the sealingmember by an adhesive or mechanical means. This is especiallyappropriate when the sealing member has a degree of rigidity, such aswhen it has been produced by injection moulding. It is also possible fora previously prepared container containing the second composition to beadhered to the sealing member. For example, a sealing member in the formof a film may have a filled compartment containing a compositionattached thereto. The second composition or compartment may be held oneither side of the sealing member such that it is inside or outside thefirst compartment.

Generally, however, the second composition is held within a secondcompartment in the sealing member. This is especially appropriate whenthe sealing member is flexible, for example in the form of a film.

The sealing member is placed on top of the first compartment and sealedthereto. For example the sealing member in the form of a film may beplaced over a filled pocket and across the sealing portion, if present,and the films sealed together at the sealing portion. In general thereis only one second compartment or composition in or on the sealingmember, but it is possible to have more than one second compartment orcomposition, if desired, for example 2 or 3 second compartments orcompositions.

The second compartment may be formed by any technique. For example itcan be formed by vertical form fill sealing the second compositionwithin a film, such as by the process described in WO 89/12587. It canalso be formed by having an appropriate shape for injection moulding.

However, it is preferred to use a vacuum forming or thermoformingtechnique, such as that previously described in relation to the firstcompartment of the container of the present invention. Thus, forexample, a pocket surrounded by a sealing portion is formed into a film,the pocket is filled with the second composition, a film is placed ontop of the filled pocket and across the sealing portion and the filmsare sealed together at the sealing portion. In general, however, thefilm placed on top of the filled pocket to form the second compartmentdoes not itself comprise a further compartment.

Further details of this thermoforming process are generally the same asthose given above in relation to the first compartment of the containerof the present invention. All of the above details are incorporated byreference thereto, with the following differences:

The second compartment is generally smaller than the first compartment,since the film containing the second composition is used to form a lidon the pocket. In general the first compartment and the secondcompartment (or composition if not held within a compartment) have avolume ratio of from 2:1 to 20:1, more preferably 4:1 to 10:1. Generallythe second compartment does not extend across the sealing portion.

The thickness of the film comprising the second compartment may also beless than the thickness of the film making up the first compartment ofthe container of the present invention, because the film is notsubjected to as much localised stretching in the thermoforming step. Itis also desirable to have a thickness which is less than that of thefilm used to form the first compartment to ensure a sufficient heattransfer through the film to soften the base web, if heat sealing isused.

The thickness of the covering film is generally from 20 to 160 μm,preferably from 40 to 100 μm, such as 40 to 80 μm or 50 to 60 μm.

This film may be a single-layered film, but is desirably laminated toreduce the possibility of pinholes allowing leakage through the film.The film may be the same as or different from the film forming the firstcompartment. If two or more films are used to form the film comprisingthe second compartment, the films may be the same or different. Examplesof suitable films are those given for the film forming the firstcompartment.

The first compartment and the sealing member may be sealed together byany suitable means, for example by means of an adhesive or by heatsealing. Mechanical means is particularly appropriate if both have beenprepared by injection moulding. Other methods of sealing includeinfrared, radio frequency, ultrasonic, laser, solvent, vibration andspin welding. An adhesive such as an aqueous solution of PVOH may alsobe used. The seal desirably is water-soluble if the containers arewater-soluble.

If heat sealing is used, a suitable sealing temperature is, for example,120 to 195° C., for example 140 to 150° C. A suitable sealing pressureis, for example, from 250 to 600 kPa. Examples of sealing pressures are276 to 552 kPa (40 to 80 p.s.i.), especially 345 to 483 kPa (50 to 70p.s.i.) or 400 to 800 kPa (4 to 8 bar), especially 500 to 700 kPa (5 to7 bar) depending on the heat-sealing machine used. Suitable sealingdwell times are 0.4 to 2.5 seconds.

One skilled in the art can use an appropriate temperature, pressure anddwell time to achieve a seal of the desired integrity. While desirablyconditions are chosen within the above ranges, it is possible to use oneor more of these parameters outside the above ranges, although it wouldmight be necessary to compensate by changing the values of the other twoparameters.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the sealing member does notcomprise the second composition at the time it is placed on top of thefirst component. Instead the second composition is added afterwards.Thus, for example, it may be adhered to the sealing member by means ofan adhesive. It may also be adhered by mechanical means, particularlywhen the sealing member has a degree of rigidity, for example wheninjection moulding has produced it. Another possibility is for thesealing member to contain an indentation, which is filled, either beforeor after sealing, by a liquid composition, which is allowed to gelin-situ.

If more than one container is formed at the same time from the samesheet, the containers may then be separated from each other, for exampleby cutting the sealing portions, or flanges. Alternatively, they may beleft conjoined and, for example, perforations provided between theindividual containers so that they can be easily separated a laterstage, for example by a consumer. If the containers are separated, theflanges may be left in place. However, desirably the flanges arepartially removed in order to provide an even more attractiveappearance. Generally the flanges remaining should be as small aspossible for aesthetic purposes while bearing in mind that some flangeis required to ensure the two films remain adhered to each other. Aflange having a width of 1 mm to 8 mm is desirable, preferably 2 mm to 7mm, most preferably about 5 mm.

The containers may themselves be packaged in outer containers ifdesired, for example non-water soluble containers, which are removed,before the water-soluble containers are used.

The containers produced by the process of the present invention,especially when used for a fabric care, surface care or dishwashingcomposition, may have a maximum dimension of 5 cm, excluding anyflanges. For example, a container may have a length of 1 to 5 cm,especially 3.5 to 4.5 cm, a width of 1.5 to 3.5 cm, especially 2 to 3cm, and a height of 1 to 2 cm, especially 1.25 to 1.75 cm.

The ingredients of the compositions depend on the use of suchcompositions. Thus, for example, the composition may containsurface-active agents such as an anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphotericor zwitterionic surface-active agents or mixtures thereof.

Examples of anionic surfactants are straight-chained or branched alkylsulfates and alkyl polyalkoxylated sulfates, also known as alkyl ethersulfates. Such surfactants may be produced by the sulfation of higherC₈-C₂₀ fatty alcohols.

Examples of primary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those of formula:ROSO₃ ⁻M⁺wherein R is a linear C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group and M is awater-solubilising cation. Preferably R is C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl, for exampleC₁₂-C₁₄, and M is alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of secondary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those which have thesulfate moiety on a “backbone” of the molecule, for example those offormula:CH₂(CH₂)_(n)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺)(CH₂)_(m)CH₃wherein m and n are independently 2 or more, the sum of m+n typicallybeing 6 to 20, for example 9 to 15, and M is a water-solubilising cationsuch as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Especially preferred secondary alkyl sulfates are the (2,3) alkylsulfate surfactants of formulae:CH₂(CH₂)_(x)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺)CH₃ andCH₃(CH₂)_(x)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺)CH₂CH₃for the 2-sulfate and 3-sulfate, respectively. In these formulae x is atleast 4, for example 6 to 20, preferably 10 to 16. M is cation, such asan alkali metal, for example lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates are ethoxylated alkyl sulfates ofthe formula:RO(C₂H₄O)_(n)SO₃ ⁻M⁺wherein R is a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, preferably C₁₀-C₁₈ such as a C₁₂-C₁₆,n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15,especially 1 to 6, and M is a salt-forming cation such as lithium,sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or alkanolammonium. Thesecompounds can provide especially desirable fabric cleaning performancebenefits when used in combination with alkyl sulfates.

The alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used inthe form of mixtures comprising varying alkyl chain lengths and, ifpresent, varying degrees of alkoxylation.

Other anionic surfactants, which may be employed, are salts of fattyacids, for example C₈-C₁₈ fatty acids, especially the sodium orpotassium salts, and alkyl, for example C₈-C₁₈, benzene sulfonates.

Examples of nonionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxylates, such asfatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of formula:R(C₂H₄O)_(n)OHwherein R is a straight or branched C₈-C₁₆ alkyl group, preferably aC₉-C₁₅, for example C₁₀-C₁₄, alkyl group and n is at least 1, forexample from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The alkoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant will frequently have ahydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 17, morepreferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 15.

Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from alcohols of 12to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide.Such materials are commercially marketed under the trademarks Neodol25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodolsinclude Neodol 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbonatoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol23-9, an ethoxylated primary C₁₂-C₁₃ alcohol having about 9 moles ofethylene oxide; and Neodol 91-10, an ethoxylated C₉-C₁₁ primary alcoholhaving about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by ShellChemical Company under the Dobanol trademark. Dobanol 91-5 is anethoxylated C₉-C₁₁ fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethyleneoxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C₁₂-C₁₅ fatty alcohol with anaverage of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactantsinclude Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, both of which are linearsecondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation.Tergitol 15-S-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a C₁₁-C₁₅ linearsecondary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and Tergitol 15-S-9 isthe same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other suitable alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are Neodol45-11, which is a similar ethylene oxide condensation products of afatty alcohol having 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxidegroups per mole being about 11. Such products are also available fromShell Chemical Company.

Further nonionic surfactants are, for example, C₁₀-C₁₈ alkylpolyglycosides, such s C₁₂-C₁₆ alkyl polyglycosides, especially thepolyglucosides. These are especially useful when high foamingcompositions are desired. Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acidamides, such as C₁₀-C₁₈ N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamides and ethyleneoxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.

Examples of cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammoniumtype.

The total content of surfactants in the composition is desirably 60 to95 wt %, especially 75 to 90 wt %. Desirably an anionic surfactant ispresent in an amount of 50 to 75 wt %, the nonionic surfactant ispresent in an amount of 5 to 20 wt %, and/or the cationic surfactant ispresent in an amount of from 0 to 20 wt %. The amounts are based on thetotal solids content of the composition, i.e. excluding any solvent,which may be present.

The composition, particularly when used as laundry washing ordishwashing composition, may also comprise enzymes, such as protease,lipase, amylase, cellulase and peroxidase enzymes. Such enzymes arecommercially available and sold, for example, under the registeredtrademarks Esperase, Alcalase and Savinase by Novo Industries A/S andMaxatase by International Biosynthetics, Inc. Desirably the enzymes arepresent in the composition in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 wt %,especially 1 to 2 wt %.

The composition may, if desired, comprise a thickening agent or gellingagent. Suitable thickeners are polyacrylate polymers such as those soldunder the trademark CARBOPOL, or the trademark ACUSOL by Rohm and HaasCompany. Other suitable thickeners are xanthan gums. The thickener, ifpresent, is generally present in an amount of from 0.2 to 4 wt %,especially 0.5 to 2 wt %.

Dishwasher compositions usually comprise a detergency builder. Suitablebuilders are alkali metal or ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates,phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates,polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates such as citrates, andpolycarboxylates. The builder is desirably present in an amount of up to90 wt %, preferably 15 to 90 wt %, more preferable 15 to 75 wt %,relative to the total weight of the composition. Further details ofsuitable components are given in, for example, EP-A-694,059,EP-A-518,720 and WO 99/06522.

The compositions can also optionally comprise one or more additionalingredients. These include conventional detergent composition componentssuch as further surfactants, bleaches, bleach enhancing agents,builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish andanti-corrosion agents, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilisers,emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil releaseagents, germicides, pH adjusting agents or buffers, non-builderalkalinity sources, chelating agents, clays such as smectite clays,enzyme stabilisers, anti-limescale agents, colorants, dyes, hydrotropes,dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners, and perfumes. If used, suchoptional ingredients will generally constitute no more than 10 wt %, forexample from 1 to 6 wt %, the total weight of the compositions.

The builders counteract the effects of calcium, or other ion, waterhardness encountered during laundering or bleaching use of thecompositions herein. Examples of such materials are citrate, succinate,malonate, carboxymethyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate andpolyacetyl carboxylate salts, for example with alkali metal or alkalineearth metal cations, or the corresponding free acids. Specific examplesare sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, melliticacid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, C₁₀-C₂₂ fatty acids and citric acid.Other examples are organic phosphonate type sequestering agents such asthose sold by Monsanto under the trademark Dequest and alkylhydroxyphosphonates. Citrate salts and C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acid soaps are preferred.

Other suitable builders are polymers and copolymers known to havebuilder properties. For example, such materials include appropriatepolyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polymaleic acidcopolymers and their salts, such as those sold by BASF under thetrademark Sokalan.

The builders generally constitute from 0 to 3 wt %, more preferably from0.1 to 1 wt %, by weight of the compositions.

Compositions, which comprise an enzyme, may optionally containmaterials, which maintain the stability of the enzyme. Such enzymestabilisers include, for example, polyols such as propylene glycol,boric acid and borax. Combinations of these enzyme stabilisers may alsobe employed. If utilised, the enzyme stabilisers generally constitutefrom 0.1 to 1 wt % of the compositions.

The compositions may optionally comprise materials, which serve as phasestabilisers and/or co-solvents. Examples are C₁-C₃ alcohols such asmethanol, ethanol and propanol. C₁-C₃ alkanolamines such as mono-, di-and triethanolamines can also be used, by themselves or in combinationwith the alcohols. The phase stabilisers and/or co-solvents can, forexample, constitute 0 to 1 wt %, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 wt %, of thecomposition.

The compositions may optionally comprise components, which adjust ormaintain the pH of the compositions at optimum levels. The pH may befrom, for example, 1 to 13, such as 8 to 11 depending on the nature ofthe composition. For example a dishwashing composition desirably has apH of 8 to 11, a laundry composition desirable has a pH of 7 to 9, and awater-softening composition desirably has a pH of 7 to 9. Examples of pHadjusting agents are NaOH and citric acid.

The primary composition and the secondary composition may beappropriately chosen depending on the desired use of the article.

If the article is for use in laundry washing, the first composition maycomprise, for example, a detergent, and the second composition maycomprise a bleach, stain remover, water-softener, enzyme or fabricconditioner. The article may be adapted to release the compositions atdifferent times during the laundry wash. For example, a bleach or fabricconditioner is generally released at the end of a wash, and a watersoftener is generally released at the start of a wash. An enzyme may bereleased at the start or the end of a wash.

If the article is for use as a fabric conditioner, the first compositionmay comprise a fabric conditioner and the second composition maycomprise an enzyme, which is released before or after the fabricconditioner in a rinse cycle.

If the article is for use in dish washing the first composition maycomprise a detergent and the second composition may comprise awater-softener, salt, enzyme, rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator. Thearticle may be adapted to release the compositions at different timesduring the laundry wash. For example, a rinse aid, bleach or bleachactivator is generally released at the end of a wash, and a watersoftener, salt or enzyme is generally released at the start of a wash.

The containers of the present invention will now be further describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. These illustrate examples of containers,which can be produced Each figure shows an article containing a liquid(or gel) composition and a solid having a size retained in a 2.5 mmmesh.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are schematic representations of different embodiments ofthe packaged detergent composition according to the present invention,wherein FIGS. 1 and 2 show mono-compartment embodiments, whereas FIGS.3, 4, and 5 show multi-compartment embodiments.

In all figures the same reference numerals have been used for similarparts.

FIG. 1 shows a first mono-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention. A container 1,preferably made of water-soluble material, contains two differentphases, namely a liquid (or gel) phase 10 and a gaseous phase 12. Asolid 20 can be seen floating at the liquid gas interface 11. Byadjusting the density of the solid 20 to be comprised between thedensity of the liquid phase 10 and the density of the gaseous phase 12,the movement of the solid 20 is restricted to be in the region of liquidgas interface 13 whereby a contact with the outer wall 2 of thecontainer 1 is reliably avoided.

Another mono-compartment embodiment of the packaged detergentcomposition of the present invention can be seen from FIG. 2. Thedifference to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is the presence of two liquid (orgel) phases (or one liquid and one gel phase) instead of only one liquid(or gel) phase, being immiscible and having different densities. Again agaseous phase 12 can be seen on top of the second liquid phase 10′.

In this embodiment, the density of the solid 20 is adjusted to bebetween the density of the first liquid phase 10 and the density of thesecond liquid phase 10′ so that it is floating at the liquid interface13 of the two phases. Alternatively, the density of the solid could alsobe adjusted to be between the density of the second liquid phase 10′ andthe gaseous phase 12 to float at the liquid gas interface 14 (as in FIG.1). Again, adjustment of the density of the solid between the densitiesof two of the phases thereby resulting in a floating of the solid at therespective interface, reliably avoiding any contact of the solid withthe outer wall 2 of the container 1.

FIG. 3 shows the first multi-compartment embodiment of the packageddetergent composition of the present invention. In the specificembodiment of FIG. 3, compartment 3 of the container 1 contains a gelcomposition 10 whereas compartment 4 thereof contains a powdercomposition 15. Compartments 3 and 4 are separated by separation wall 5.The solid 20 in this case is attached, for example glued, at a point orarea on the top portion of outer wall 2 of the container 1. For thereasons set out herein-above, this point or area 2 is locatedsufficiently far from the seal area 6 of the container so that the solid20 will not get into contact with the seal.

A further, related embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, where the solid isrestricted in its movement by “encapsulating” it within a part ofcompartment 3 kept between the outer wall 2 and the separation wall 5.Again, the solid is located sufficiently far from the seal area 6 toavoid contact.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows another multi-compartment embodiment of thepackaged detergent composition of the present invention. In thisembodiment the two compartments, namely compartment 3 with e.g. gelmaterial 10 and compartment 4 with e.g. powder material 15, are arrangedside by side separated by a separation wall 5. Again, similar to FIG. 4,solid 20 is “encapsulated” in an area of the separation wallsufficiently far from the seal area 6.

It is obvious for someone skilled in the art that there are more andother embodiments of the packaged detergent composition of the presentapplication achieving the basic feature of the invention, namely torestrict the movement of the solid within the container.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claimsand/or drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof bematerial for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A packaged detergent composition comprising a container that at leastpartly disintegrates in an aqueous environment, the container having acompartment, the detergent composition having a first fluid phase, asecond fluid phase and a solid, having a size sufficient to be retainedby a 2.5 mm mesh, substantially insoluble in the first fluid phase andsecond fluid phase wherein the movement of the solid within thecontainer is restricted and at least one compartment of the containerholds a portion of said first fluid phase and said second fluid phase,said first fluid phase having a density different from the density ofthe second fluid phase and the said solid has a density comprisedbetween the density of said first fluid phase and the density of saidsecond fluid phase wherein the solid floats at an interface between saidfirst fluid phase and said second fluid phase wherein the solid is atleast partly in contact with an outer wall of the container and/or aseparation wall between compartments of the container.
 2. A packageddetergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the first fluid phaseand the second fluid phase are mutually immiscible.
 3. A packageddetergent composition according to claim 1 wherein that the solid isattached at a fixed point or area onto the walls of the container.
 4. Apackaged detergent composition according to claim 3 wherein the point orarea where the solid is attached is sufficiently far from a seal area sothat the solid does not contact the seal area.
 5. A packaged detergentcomposition according to claim 3 wherein the solid is glued to a fixedpoint or area on the container walls.
 6. A method of washing dishescomprising the step of providing the packaged detergent compositionaccording to claim 1 in an automatic dishwashing machine.
 7. A method ofwashing laundry comprising the step of providing the packaged detergentcomposition according to claim 1 in a laundry washing machine.
 8. Apackaged detergent composition comprising a container that at leastpartly disintegrates in an aqueous environment, the container having acompartment, the detergent composition having a first fluid phase, asecond fluid phase and one solid, having a size sufficient to beretained by a 2.5 mm mesh, substantially insoluble in the first fluidphase and second fluid phase wherein the movement of the solid withinthe container is restricted wherein the solid floats at an interfacebetween said first fluid phase and said second fluid phase and the solidis at least partly in contact with an outer wall of the container and/ora separation wall between compartments of the container and is attachedat a fixed point or area onto the walls of the container sufficientlyfar from a seal area so that the solid does not come into contact withthe seal area.
 9. A packaged detergent composition comprising acontainer that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueous environment,the container having a compartment, the detergent composition having afluid phase and a solid, having a size sufficient to be retained by a2.5 mm mesh, substantially insoluble in the fluid phase wherein themovement of the solid within the container is restricted wherein thesolid is at least partly in contact with an outer wall of the containerand/or a separation wall between compartments of the container and isglued at a fixed point or area onto the walls of the container.